How a (Contraband) Corned Beef Sandwich Ended Up in Space 50 Years Ago

March 25, 2015 11:37 AM

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"I took a bite, but crumbs of rye bread started floating all around the cabin," he explained in an interview with LIFE magazine soon after the mission.

The entire corned beef sandwich “taste test” lasted about 10 seconds out of the 4 hours and 52 minutes that Gemini 3 was in flight. The mission otherwise tested the capsule’s orbital maneuvering thrusters, setting a first for a crewed spacecraft. [Learn more about the Gemini missions]